The Spanish La Liga 2017/2018 campaign is ready to kick off and with the games played on Friday night, the round 1 will continue with three very exciting matches played on Saturday. In our two-match preview, we have taken a closer look at the teams like Girona, Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo. The final matchup of the Saturday’s actions will be between Sevilla who will welcome Espanyol as their first visitors to the Roman Sanchez Pijuan in the opening round of the 2017/2018 La Liga campaign. Sevilla will be hopeful that their summer signings are able to hit the group running and hence help the home team grab all the three points, which won’t be easy at all, considering the Espanyol are equally motivated for the same.
SEVILLA vs. ESPANYOL
Three-way: 1: Sevilla -141; X: +350 Draw; 2: Espanyol +552
Spread -1: Sevilla +102; Espanyol -101
Total +2.5: Over -120; Under +116
SEVILLA
Sevilla gave tough competition last year to Atletico Madrid when it came to occupy the third spot in the La Liga. However, Atletico Madrid just about edged them as the eventual difference between the two teams was six points. Sevilla scored an impressive 69 goals in the La Liga while conceding 49 in the same 38 matches. On a glance, these stats give a decent reading. However, to compete at the very top of the league, they need to be tighter at the back and be more efficient in front of goal. Under new manager Eduardo Berizzo, the fans will be hoping the club can continue their journey of knocking at the doors of the two top teams in Spain.
They have been very active in the transfer market in this window. To add to their firepower, Sevilla has signed Luis Muriel from Sampdoria (20 million Euros), Nolito from Manchester City ( 9 million Euros), and have also brought back former winger Jesus Navas on a free transfer. To add solidity and creativity from midfield, they have signed Ever Banega from Inter for 9 million Euros, along with Argentine midfielder Guido Pizarro for 6 million Euros, from Tigres. They have also brought in defender Simon Kjaer from Fenerbahce in a deal worth 12.5 million Euros. These signings, show intent from the Sevilla board, as they are prepared to back their manager with his transfer targets, in hopes of seeing good performances from the team
Sevilla took part in seven preseason friendly matches, out of which, they won four, lost two, and drew one. They have defeated many top quality opponents like the Italian runner-up Roma, English side Arsenal and the German Bundesliga runner-ups RB Leipzig. During this period, they have scored 10 goals, while conceding 9 times, which shows that there are still many cracks in the defensive end which need to corrected. However, there were some really good performances by the team, which will make the fans optimistic ahead of the new domestic league campaign. One such match was against Arsenal, where they defeated the Gunners in their own backyard with 2:1, in what was a really composed, and efficient performance by the Spanish side.
Their only injury concern going into this first round La Liga matchup with Espanyol is Daniel Carrico, who injured his hamstring a few days ago, and will be a doubt for the match.
ESPANYOL
Under the guidance of Qique Sanches Flores, the Catalan club managed a decent finish of 8th position in the league table. It must be noted though, that they were quite a long way off from 7th position, and were just two points above 10th place Eibar. Even though 8th position is a decent finish, one has to look at their stats to realize that they still have many weak points. Espanyol are pretty average in both attack and defense. They managed just 49 goals in the league, which was a figure that belonged to the lower half in terms of goals scored. In defense, they conceded 50 goals, which indicate that they are still leaky in defense and can concede goals in seemingly easy matches too, as one might have noticed last season.
Like their opponents, they have signed some really good players that have the attributes to improve the squad ahead of the new season. Brazilian Centre back Naldo has joined from Krasnodar for 2.5 million, while they have signed wing wizard Pablo Piatti, form Valencia for 1.3 million. Piatti will be expected to provide attacking flair in a team that isn’t really exciting to watch. They have also signed Spanish goalkeeper Diego Lopez from AC Milan for 1.3 million. Real Sociedad midfielder Esteban Granero has also joined the club on a free transfer.
Espanyol had a fairly good pre-season, as they took part in six club friendly matches. The first three matches resulted in wins, while the next two were draws, followed by a defeat against Napoli by 2:0. During this spell, they scored a massive 13 goals, while conceding just thrice, which shows the improvements in the squad. They also managed to keep an impressive four clean sheets in these matches.
Sanches Flores will have a couple of injury concerns for this match that he will have to deal with. Centre back Oscar Duarte is out with Curciate Ligament Rupture that he got in March, and will be out at least mid of October. Joining him on the treatment table is forward Jairo Moriallas, who has an Achilles Tendon Rupture, and will be out till at least September.
SEVILLA vs. ESPANYOL – Match Prediction:
This match has all the ingredients to be a cracking tie. Both the teams had decent finishes as per their objectives, and will be looking to maintain it at the very least. Both the clubs have made some good signings during the offseason who shall be able to provide a new dimension to the teams’ play, and strengthen it. However, looking at both the squads, I feel the Sevilla has the better players who should be able to handle this match in a better way, although Espanyol has had a very good preseason and are well prepared. Therefore, my prediction will be a close match, with both the teams scoring, which will end with a home win for Sevilla.
MY PICK: SEVILLA to win (-141)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-110)
